‘O God, Our God’ is updated following the Texas Hill Country flooding

LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian Manley Olson has updated his “O God, Our God” following the deadly floods in the Texas Hill Country.

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Olson said he wrote “O God, Our God” following a tsunami in Southeast Asia. It was also used following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Olson set “O God, Our God” to FINLANDIA, which is the tune for “Be Still, My Soul.”

The lyrics are copyrighted, but Olson grants use of the hymn during worship or any other church event so long as the copyright is included.

O God, Our God

(A Song of Lamentation and Hope)

O God, our God, where are you in our sorrow?
When rivers roar, and floods engulf the land.
As people die, beneath a wall of water,

Is this, O God, a judgment from your hand?

We pray to you, please help us in our struggle,
We long to know, help us to understand. 

Through tear-filled eyes we view the pain and suffering,
And ponder why these people had to die.
Did you, O God, use this to send a message?
Or was it fate, while you sit idly by?

We have your word that you are always with us,
Yet in our pain our foremost thought is why?

So in our grief, we act with great compassion,
In helping those who struggle to survive.

With food and clothes, with medicine and shelter,
Do what we can to rebuild shattered lives.

Still in our hearts the question seeks an answer,
Will you, O God, respond to these our cries?

Remembering what you have always taught us,
That when we hurt you also share our pain.

And in the midst of suff’ring and destruction,
Our comfort comes when we pray in your name.
Please help us as we struggle with our questions,
To find our faith, and hope in you again.

When in the sea the mountains shake and tremble,
We need not fear, though waters roar and foam.
Your answer is, “I am your strength and refuge,
When morning dawns my power will be shown.
Be still and know that I am God forever,
Your help and hope, in any trials you’ve known.”
 

Manley Olson ©2005 Finlandia 11 10 11 10 11 10